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Grow Competitive: Jordan’s Story For eight years, every time Jordan DeMatteo stepped onto the soccer field or basketball court, she didn’t just brace herself for competition. She braced for pain. At any moment, her right kneecap could shift out of alignment, an issue she’d dealt with since age 8. It was

Beyond a Rare Blood Cancer: Elijah’s Story By Natasha N. Frederick, MD, MPH: But after weeks and then months, it didn’t heal. When Elijah’s doctors ordered imaging and a biopsy, the results were so devastating, everyone hoped it was a lab error. It wasn’t. Elijah was diagnosed with blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) — a rare and

What Innovators Actually Need By Scott Orsey: Most of us carry a picture in our heads of what it looks like to support innovation. We imagine tools. Coaching. Slide decks and strategy maps and logic models. Convenings, trainings, and technical assistance. That work matters. It helps. And it’s often essential. But it’s rarely

Beyond Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: Melina's Story When Melina, at age 10, felt a shooting pain in her leg and suddenly couldn’t put weight on it, her family assumed it would mean physical therapy at worst. They never imagined it would mean emergency surgery so she could play sports, dance, or possibly just walk normally again

Recurrent Ear Infections in Babies: How Ear Tubes Helped Linus Thrive By Nicole Murray, MD: By the time Linus was just eight months old, his family knew something wasn’t right...

What’s the Risk? Which Activities Are Safe When Kids Aren’t Vaccinated Yet By Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP: In previous editions of What’s the Risk?, Connecticut Children’s pediatric experts have covered everything from playgrounds to farmers markets throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But things just got more complicated for families whose adults and adolescents are vaccinated but

If Your Baby May Arrive Early: What to Know About Premature Birth By Annmarie Golioto, MD, IBCLC, FAAP: Most families expect their baby to arrive around their due date. But sometimes, babies are born a lot earlier than planned for any number of reasons. If your doctor has told you that your baby may come early and need a NICU stay, you may feel scared or unsure of what happens next

Cole’s Story: Growing Again After Crohn’s Disease By Jeffrey Hyams, MD: For most of his childhood, Cole looked like he was right on track. The youngest of three kids, he hovered around the middle of the growth charts and kept up with his siblings and classmates. But when he hit his teens, something didn’t follow the usual pattern. Between ages 13 and

Prevention Is Powerful: Supporting Youth Before Crisis Hits By Cara During: When we talk about suicide prevention, the conversation usually focuses on intervention when someone is already in a crisis. But at Connecticut Children’s, we believe in building a safety net that helps young people before a crisis arises. This is called Primary Prevention. Think

A Life-Changing Screen: Jonah’s Story By Gyula Acsadi, MD: When Jonah Ferace was born in December 2023, he appeared to be a healthy, happy baby. At over 10 pounds, he was strong and alert, and his parents, Jaime and Marc, were thrilled to welcome their third child. Aside from a challenging first week as Jonah was treated for jaundice

From the Goal Box to Great Health: Elijah’s Story When 11-year-old Elijah steps onto the soccer field at the Farmington Sports Arena (FSA), his eyes light up. This past year, his hard work earned him a coveted spot on the boys FSA Football Club in the Elite Club National League (ECNL). This is a team you can’t simply “sign up”

Connecticut Children’s Names Shannon Sullivan as Next President and CEO

A Coordinated Approach to Childhood Asthma in the North Hartford Promise Zone In Hartford’s Promise Zone, programs like Easy Breathing for Schools and North Hartford Ascend are transforming how asthma care and child development support are delivered to students across the community. These initiatives show how targeted, school- and community-based efforts

Chiari Malformation in Children: Questions to Ask Your Doctor By Bethany Simonetti MSN, APRN, FNP-BC: Finding out that your child has a Chiari malformation can be overwhelming. Parents often have many questions like: What does this mean for my child? Will they need surgery? What will life be like afterward? Before your appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon, it helps to have a

8 Common Autism Myths (and the Facts Parents Need to Know) By Jennifer Twachtman-Bassett, MS, CCC-SLP: If your child is autistic or being evaluated for autism, it seems like the whole world has an opinion. You might hear advice from friends, see posts on social media, or even read conflicting information online. With so much misinformation out there, it’s hard to know what to